Double Layer Lid

ABSTRACT

A double layer lid for a cookware includes a top glass layer having a top glass layer top surface and a top glass layer bottom surface. A bottom glass layer has a bottom glass layer top surface and a bottom glass layer bottom surface. A handle is mounted to the top glass layer. A rim has a top section retaining the top glass layer and a lower section retains the bottom glass layer. A top edge is formed on the rim at a top portion of the rim and a bottom edge is formed on the rim at a bottom portion of the rim.

This application claims priority from Chinese patent application 201130091576.8 filed Apr. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to double layer lids for cookware.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally, most pot lids have been single layer and made of transparent glass or made on a sheet of aluminum or steel. Since heat rises, most of the heat during cooking escapes through the top opening of the cooking vessel. Although double layer cooking vessel lids have been made in the past, improvements can still be made to be construction of the double layer lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A double layer lid for a cookware includes a top glass layer having a top glass layer top surface and a top glass layer bottom surface. A bottom glass layer has a bottom glass layer top surface and a bottom glass layer bottom surface. A handle is mounted to the top glass layer. A rim has a top section retaining the top glass layer and a lower section retains the bottom glass layer. A top edge is formed on the rim at a top portion of the rim and a bottom edge is formed on the rim at a bottom portion of the rim.

The lower section retains the bottom glass layer top surface underneath a lower section horizontal wall formed on the lower section, and the lower section retains the bottom glass layer bottom surface above a bottom crimp formed on the lower section. The lower section retains a bottom glass layer outer periphery inside a lower section vertical wall formed on the lower section. The upper section vertical wall is formed on the upper section. The upper section vertical wall retains a top glass layer outer periphery. The top edge retains the top glass layer top surface. The intermediate indent is formed on the lower section, and the intermediate indent extends inward between the top glass layer and the bottom glass layer. The top seal seals the top edge to the top glass layer top surface. The bottom seal that seals the bottom glass layer top surface to the lower section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section view of the double layer lid.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the double layer lid.

Similar reference numbers denote corresponding features throughout the attached drawings. The following call a list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the elements of the drawings.

-   20 Double Glass Layer -   21 Top Glass Layer -   22 Bottom Glass Layer -   23 Top Seal -   24 Bottom Seal -   28 Handle Mount Opening -   30 Upper Section -   31 Top Edge -   32 Top Bend -   33 Rim Top Face -   34 Rim Tip -   35 Rim Bottom Face -   36 Rim Inside Corner -   37 Upper Section Vertical Wall -   38 Upper Section Corner -   39 Upper Section Horizontal Wall -   40 Lower Section -   42 Intermediate Indent -   43 Lower Section Horizontal Wall -   44 Lower Section Vertical Wall -   45 Lower Crimp -   46 Bottom Edge -   50 Handle -   51 Handle Grip -   52 Handle Frame -   53 Shaft Of Connector -   54 Nut -   55 Handle Flange -   56 Top Washer -   57 Bottom Washer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a double layer lid having a double glass layer 20 that includes a top glass layer 21 and a bottom glass layer 22. The double layer lid also includes an upper section to secure the top glass layer 21 and a bottom section to secure the bottom glass layer 22. The top glass layer is sealed to the upper section at the top seal 23 and the bottom glass layer is sealed to the bottom section 40 at a bottom seal 24. The top seal 23 and a bottom seal 24 are made as an elastomeric material applied to the construction or can be an o-ring that is prefabricated and pressed to retain against the construction during assembly.

The top glass layer 21 is preferably formed as an arched dome shaped piece of glass. The bottom glass layer 22 is also preferably formed as an arched dome shaped piece of glass. The top glass layer 21 has a lower external periphery about its circumference. The bottom glass layer 22 similarly has a lower external periphery about its circumference.

The upper section of the rim begins at a top edge 31 which faces inward toward the middle of the lid. The top edge 31 preferably receives a top seal 23 to seal the top edge 31 against the top glass layer 21. The top edge 31 may include a top bend 32 to provide resilient biasing of the top edge 31 against the top glass layer 21. The top bend 32 can be formed as a protrusion on the upper section so that the material is protruding upward at the top bend 32.

The rim top face 33 is preferably substantially horizontal terminating at a rim tip 34. The rim bottom face 35 is folded underneath the rim tip 34 and extends horizontally underneath the rim top face 33. The rim inside corner 36 bends underneath the rim bottom face 35. The rim inside corner 36 defines an external periphery of the top glass layer 21. The outer periphery of the top glass layer abuts and is retained by the upper section vertical wall 37 and the upper section horizontal wall 39. The upper section vertical wall 37 joins to the upper section horizontal wall 39 at the upper section corner 38. The top glass layer 21 is therefore retained underneath the top edge 31 on top, retained inside the upper section vertical wall 37, and retained above the upper section vertical wall 39.

The lower section 40 continues from the upper section 30 and includes an intermediate indent. An intermediate indent 42 is formed as a generally rectangular indent shape so that the rim has the indent area which extends in between the top glass layer 21 and the bottom glass layer 22. The indent may further receive an o-ring seal to provide a seal between the lid and a pot or kettle. The indent may also receive a plastic ring bushing which may provide decreased friction between the lid and an internal upper surface of a pot.

The lower section 40 includes a lower section horizontal wall 43 extending outward from the intermediate indent 42. The lower section vertical wall 44 meets the lower section horizontal wall 43. The lower end of the lower section vertical wall 44 receives a lower crimp 45. The end of the lower crimp 45 is the bottom edge 46. The bottom edge 26 is the bottom edge of the rim that opposes the top edge 31, which is the top edge of the rim.

The lower section 40 of the rim retains the bottom glass layer 22 by retaining top surface of the bottom glass layer 22 underneath the lower section horizontal wall 43. The lower section 40 of the rim retains the bottom glass layer 22 by retaining the bottom surface of the bottom glass layer 22 above the bottom edge 46 and above the bottom crimp 45. The lower section 40 of the rim retains the bottom glass layer 22 by retaining the outer periphery of the bottom glass layer 22 inside the lower section vertical wall 44. The terms horizontal and vertical refer to constructions which are generally horizontal and generally vertical. The overall construction of the rim is possible with variations of angle from that shown in the drawings.

The double layer lid has a handle mounted to the top surface of the double layer lid. The top surface of the double layer lid is the double glass layer 20. The top glass layer 21 of the double glass layer 20 has a pair of handle mount openings 28 formed through the top glass layer 21. The handle mount openings 28 are preferably circular in cross-section so that they receive a circular shaft of a connector 53. The shaft of the connector 53 passes through the handle mount openings 28, and preferably a pair of connector shaft 53 are passed through the pair of handle mount openings 28. The shaft of the connector 53 can be connected to a nut 54 to provide tightening, but not over tightening.

It is possible that the shaft of the connector 53 does not touch the inside surface of the handle mount opening 28. A top washer 56 is preferably made of elastomeric material but could also be made of metal and the top washer may provide a seal between the handle mount opening and the top washer 56. The top washer 56 is placed above the top glass layer and comes in contact with the top surface of the top glass layer. The bottom washer 57 is preferably placed below the top glass layer and comes in contact with the bottom surface of the top glass layer. The bottom washer 57 can also be made of or include a layer of an elastomeric material so as to provide a seal between the shaft of connector 53 and the handle mount opening 28.

The handle 50 includes a handle grip 51 mounted to a handle frame 52. The handle frame 52 includes a pair of handle flange 55 extending outward from the handle frame 52 at a lower end of the handle frame 52. The pair of handle flange 55 extends in opposite directions from the handle frame 52. Each of the handle flange 55 has an opening to match the handle mount opening 28 of the top glass layer 21. The shaft of connector 53 passes through the handle flange opening and the handle mount opening 28 so that the handle flange 55 is secured to the top glass layer 21.

The method of manufacturing the rim construction can be to use stainless steel to make a rim. Assembly may begin by inserting the bottom glass layer 22 from the bottom opening of the rim until it abuts the intermediate indent, then applying the bottom seal 24. Once the bottom glass layer 22 is sealed, the crimp 45 retains the bottom glass layer 22. The top glass layer is inserted into the top opening of the rim until it abuts the intermediate indent, and then pulling the rim top face 33, the top bend 32 and the top edge 31 to close the top edge 31 to the top glass layer 21. The top seal 23 can be applied in the final step. Other steps for construction can be used for making this device.

Therefore, while the presently preferred form has been shown and described, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A double layer lid for a cookware comprising: a. a top glass layer having a top glass layer top surface and a top glass layer bottom surface; b. a bottom glass layer having a bottom glass layer top surface and a bottom glass layer bottom surface; c. a rim having a top section retaining the top glass layer and a lower section retaining the bottom glass layer; d. a top edge formed on the rim at a top portion of the rim; and e. a bottom edge formed on the rim at a bottom portion of the rim.
 2. The double layer lid of claim 1, wherein the lower section retains the bottom glass layer top surface underneath a lower section horizontal wall formed on the lower section, wherein the lower section retains the bottom glass layer bottom surface above a bottom crimp formed on the lower section.
 3. The double layer lid of claim 1, wherein the lower section retains a bottom glass layer outer periphery inside a lower section vertical wall formed on the lower section.
 4. The double layer lid of claim 1, further comprising an upper section vertical wall formed on the upper section, wherein the upper section vertical wall retains a top glass layer outer periphery.
 5. The double layer lid of claim 1, wherein the top edge retains the top glass layer top surface.
 6. The double layer lid of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate indent formed on the lower section, wherein the intermediate indent extends inward between the top glass layer and the bottom glass layer.
 7. The double layer lid of claim 1, further comprising a top seal that seals the top edge to the top glass layer top surface.
 8. The double layer lid of claim 1, further comprising a bottom seal that seals the bottom glass layer top surface to the lower section.
 9. The double layer lid of claim 1, wherein the lower section retains the bottom glass layer top surface underneath a lower section horizontal wall formed on the lower section, wherein the lower section retains the bottom glass layer bottom surface above a bottom crimp formed on the lower section, wherein the lower section retains a bottom glass layer outer periphery inside a lower section vertical wall formed on the lower section.
 10. The double layer lid of claim 9, further comprising a top seal that seals the top edge to the top glass layer top surface.
 11. The double layer lid of claim 1, further comprising an upper section vertical wall formed on the upper section, wherein the upper section vertical wall retains a top glass layer outer periphery, wherein the top edge retains the top glass layer top surface.
 12. The double layer lid of claim 11, further comprising a bottom seal that seals the bottom glass layer top surface to the lower section.
 13. The double layer lid of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate indent formed on the lower section, wherein the intermediate indent extends inward between the top glass layer and the bottom glass layer, further comprising a top seal that seals the top edge to the top glass layer top surface, and further comprising a bottom seal that seals the bottom glass layer top surface to the lower section.
 14. The double layer lid of claim 1, wherein the lower section retains the bottom glass layer top surface underneath a lower section horizontal wall formed on the lower section, wherein the lower section retains the bottom glass layer bottom surface above a bottom crimp formed on the lower section, wherein the lower section retains a bottom glass layer outer periphery inside a lower section vertical wall formed on the lower section, further comprising an upper section vertical wall formed on the upper section, wherein the upper section vertical wall retains a top glass layer outer periphery, wherein the top edge retains the top glass layer top surface.
 15. The double layer lid of claim 14, further comprising a bottom seal that seals the bottom glass layer top surface to the lower section.
 16. The double layer lid of claim 14, further comprising a top seal that seals the top edge to the top glass layer top surface.
 17. The double layer lid of claim 14, further comprising a handle mounted to the top glass layer.
 18. The double layer lid of claim 17, further comprising a pair of handle mount openings formed on the top glass layer, wherein the handle is mounted to the top glass layer at the pair of handle mount openings. 